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Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny

(2009, Video Games - Fighting, Rated T, Play it on: PSP)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fantasty brawler series premieres on the PSP, offers depth.

In this game kids can:   battle others, become a hero, kill non-humans (without blood), live vicariously, play in a virtual world, play multiplayer games, play with others

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–18

The good stuff

  • Ease of play:

    Soulcalibur games are deceptively easy to pick up. Button mashing will ensue for newbies. But hardcore gamers will appreciate the many nuanced moves you can pull off by carefully combining buttons on the PSP.

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Online interaction:

    Online play is seamless, and there's no chat to worry about.

  • Messages:

    While there are terrific, myth-like stories behind each character, the ultimate message is: to the victor belong the spoils. Might makes right.

  • Role models:

    You generally admire to these godly knights and powerful supernatural characters. They never really give up on their goals of winning. But they win by fighting.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    This is a case of the bark worse than the bite. The many confident characters throw insults at their foes. They fight each other using weapons that include whips, lances, knives, and swords. But the fantasy violence never shows blood or guts. However, there's a ton of moaning and groaning, and highlighting of violent finishing moves.

  • Sex:

    The female characters have huge, pendulous breasts and wear skimpy outfits. Players will see cleavage, and sides of breasts and buttocks. One of the characters, Ivy, carries a whip and is suggestive of an S&M fantasy. Others don little girl outfits and you can see their underwear when they are hit high into the air.

  • Language:

    Mild cussing of the "hell" and "damn" variety.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny was written by Harold Goldberg

Parents need to know that this swordfighting brawler is part of a reknown fighting series. That's because the back story for each of the characters is deep and compelling. While there's much cutting, slashing, hitting, tripping, and moaning in pain, there is never any bloodletting. Female characters have exergerated breasts and are shown in very skimpy clothing. Mild cussing can be heard.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Each of the characters has a mythic story about their lives in which they overcome daunting obstacles. Is there any one character you relate to more than others? Why?
  • Do you feel more agressive after playing this game? Do you think playing violent video games can affect how you look at the world?
Did this review help you decide?
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More on Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny

What’s the Story?

SOULCALIBUR: BROKEN DESTINY, a fantasy weapons-based fighting game, features a  back story for each of about 30 combatants. Each tale, which you read via scrolling text, is part tutorial, part epic one-on-one battle, and part fable. Most deal in some way with the story of the mythic blade of magic called The Soul Edge. Close

Is It Any Good?

Basically, Soulcalibur Broken Destiny is SoulCalibur IV with the new addition of the Kratos, the godly character from Sony’s M-rated God of War series. The beauty of the game lies in your ability to quickly brawl or carefully pull off magical fighting moves as a kind of wizardly pugilist (unfortunately, the Critical Finish move is still difficult to pull off). Yet, unless you’re a true fan of the series, seeing these over-the-top battles on the smaller screen is a bit of a letdown. Then again, playing as Kratos will be a real plus for lovers of the God of War franchise. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 9/1/2009, price $39.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: T (for Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence)

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    conker123
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    yooh

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    The Informer
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    A great portable version of Soulcalibur IV

    I'm very impressed; this game is almost every bit as good as Soulcalibur IV. The graphics are very good for the PSP, the gameplay is superb and works just as well as the console version. Kratos is a much better fighter than the Star Wars characters, and is much more fitting to the game's universe. However, there isn't much of a story in this one, there is no online play and there isn't as many unlockables as SCIV. But this is a great PSP game that any fighting game fan should play!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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